ISLAMABAD: Possibilities of direct dialogues between government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been increased as TTP announced the one month ceasefire and the both committees are insisting that now direct dialogues should be started. Meanwhile special assistant to PM on national affairs and chief of the government negotiation team Irfan Siddiqi has said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has always wanted to resolve issues through dialogue even when he was not the prime minister.

After the recent developments the dead lock between committee of government and Taliban has come to its end and the joint meeting of both committees is expected tomorrow (Tuesday), while the extension in ceasefire is also expected.

According to the reports Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has started consultations to stop the limited military action in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), whereas the consultative process on the issue has been speed up.

According to the well placed sources in government PM Nawaz Sharif is happy on the current developments and it is expected that government may announce to stop the military action in NWA within couple of days. The contact of PM with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif is also expected soon to discuss the issue, sources said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has given hint for unexpected announcement. Meanwhile under the special task the Interior Minister has started to contact parliamentary leaders of political parties.

The joint sitting of both committees would formally be informed regarding the announcement of the ceasefire.

The member of Taliban Committee, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim has said that they want to give a good news to the nation regarding peace

It is worth mentioning here that Interior Minister contacted the head of Taliban Committee Maulana Samiul Haq after the TTP ceasefire and assured at government give positive response to Taliban. After that Maulana Samiul Haq has decided to return immediately from Medina.

Talking to SANA exclusively Maulana Samiul Haq said that after the recent development is the duty of government that it should keep care of the agreement. He said that Taliban have accepted the suggestions and the announcement of ceasefire is not far away.

Meanwhile the member of government committee Irfan Siddiqui has said that he has hope of better results between both parties because the main hurdle in dialogues has been removed. He said that Army and government are on same page on the issue. While talking to media in Lahore Irfan Siddiqui said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has always wanted to resolve issues through dialogue even when he was not the prime minister.

Irfan said everyone agreed to hold peace talks within the parameters of constitution. He said in the very beginning, the Taliban were handed over five conditions, adding that the first was related to the constitution of Pakistan.

He further said that the Taliban passed no comments over this condition; therefore, it was taken as their approval.
He said interior minister Chaudhry Nisar played a crucial role in outlining the preliminary framework for talks.

“We welcome the ceasefire announcement, there was a big obstacle to the dialogue process but it’s now removed,” said Irfan Siddiqui.

He said the government and military are on the same page for peace talks.

On the occasion, senior analyst Arif Nizami said that he is not much hopeful about restoration of peace in the wake of ceasefire, and feared that a deadlock might hit the talks again making the military operation unavoidable.

Another member of government committee Rustam Shah Mohmand talking to media in Peshawar said that Taliban have announced the ceasefire on demand of the government so now government also should announce ceasefire, adding that government should demand of the Taliban for extension in ceasefire.

Rustam Shah further said that agreement with Taliban would be signed under the parameters of the constitution; however he said that the issues would take more time to find out the solution.

Rustam Shah said that following ceasefire an environment of trust would be created and the swapping of prisoners would further strengthen the confidence in each other. He said that the government should demand extension in the period of Taliban ceasefire.

Rustam Shah said that the resolution of issues would take time. Taliban have announced the ceasefire under pressure and demand and added any agreement with Taliban would be made within the parameters of the constitution.

He said foreign militants in tribal areas have three options: surrender, leave the area or assure living peacefully, adding those foreign militants could not go back to their places they have to be assimilated in the mainstream.

Talking to a private TV channel he said that Taliban have announced the ceasefire and the government committee’s response in this regard expected until tomorrow besides a meeting of the Taliban committee would also be held in Islamabad to review the latest situation as regards talks.

He said that a meeting of the government and Taliban committees likely to be held with the Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan tomorrow (Tuesday).